Private ADHD Titration
There is a national shortage of medications that treat ADHD symptoms. This is due both to manufacturing problems as well as an increased demand in the world.
Our service can offer private ADHD treatment as an alternative to waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessment fees cover the cost of one prescription.
Titration
A highly experienced consultant psychiatrist will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your ADHD. This includes a complete medical history and an evaluation using the common ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.
After your assessment You will be advised that medication may be beneficial for your particular situation. This will be discussed during your follow-up appointment (which could be in person, by video link or by phone). Your clinician will discuss the various options for medications available. If you decide to start taking medication, we can help you the opportunity to increase your dosage to optimize the benefits/side-effects balance for you.
This process may take several weeks and involves adjusting your child's medication slowly until the right balance is reached. It's not uncommon to have to titrate as high as three different medicines until you discover the one that is most suitable for your child's ADHD. Iam Psychiatry is essential that parents take part in the titration and be aware of their child's behavior so they can inform doctors if the medication is helping or causing adverse effects.
If you decide to return to NHS care, your medication will be provided with a prescription from a private pharmacy that you'll have to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in your consultation fee). You will be required to attend regular appointments every six months to monitor your medication. This includes blood pressure and pulse readings. Annual reviews are also required.
Follow-up appointments
Once the evaluation has been completed, you'll be able to make follow up appointments with your psychiatrist, if necessary. Typically, the appointment will take place on zoom video call, although in certain cases it is possible to do an audio-only consultation (again at an extra cost).
At this point, we will discuss any treatment options we have and come up with a unique ADHD medication titration program. This will include an assessment of your medication dosage and a discussion of any possible adverse effects you may be experiencing. These titrations cost PS150 for face-to-face sessions and PS60 via telephone or video consultation. Medication costs are additional and are paid directly to the pharmacy.
The doctor will also ask you about your family history and the impact your ADHD symptoms impact your life, including any relationship issues you might be having or other mental health issues you may be experiencing. ADHD can be a hereditary condition, which is why it's crucial to examine your family history in order to determine if you are at a greater chance of developing this condition.
It is crucial to be honest and truthful with your doctor during the assessment, since the information they get will be used to determine if your ADHD meets the diagnostic criteria. This is an essential step in the process, since a failure to do so could result in an inaccurate diagnosis and therefore inappropriate prescribing of medication.
If you have decided that you would like to receive treatment for your ADHD We will schedule a follow-up appointment with one of our psychiatrists who specialise in this field. If you'd like to begin treatment right away it is possible to start treatment at the time of diagnosis. You can also wait two weeks to think about the implications of the diagnosis and the options available to you.
We recommend that if you are unsure of your preferences, you talk to your GP prior to scheduling your private examination. Certain providers have different policies regarding whether or not they require an GP letter. We also advise to check if your GP accepts a 'Shared Care Agreement', which means that after you have been discharged from the clinic, you will be returned to them for the prescription for the medication.
Medication
For many people who want an individual diagnosis of ADHD medication is a crucial element of their treatment. It isn't always easy to obtain an appointment with a psychiatrist on the NHS. NHS waiting lists can be notoriously long, and GPs may be reluctant to refer patients to specialist services.
One method to avoid this is to request your GP to refer you through Right to Choose (see psychiatry-uk and ADHD 360). This means that you can select a provider that offers an assessment and titration service. This will help you save time and be more convenient, especially in the event of a hectic schedule.
After you've been referred through this route your chosen doctor will assess you and decide whether or not you need to be monitored for a dose of medication. You will need to complete forms that differ by provider but the most frequent ones are self-reporting forms and medical histories going to your childhood and into adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor to determine if there are circumstances that indicate that you shouldn't be taking ADHD medications, in the event that they've been prescribed.
If you are being titrated, the medication will be a combination stimulants and nonstimulant medications. They will be examined and monitored to determine the best combination for you. The titration process can be lengthy and may need some additional appointments before you're able to stay on your dosage.
Depending on the type of medication you're taking, follow-up appointments will be either monthly or quarterly. Your physician will make sure whether you are stable on the medication, note any adverse reactions you have experienced and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that you remain on a safe dose. You will also be required to attend a routine health check which can include blood pressure, pulse and weight readings and an annual check-up.
Some patients may be content with their medication, and therefore do not have to discuss their titration in more detail. For those who require further discussions regarding the titration process and treatment plan, it's possible that they will be referred back to the private clinic that made their initial assessment. If this occurs, the titration appointment will be included in their consultation fee, and they will be given their medication through an individual prescription (see Consultation fees above). This can cost more than an NHS prescription as the pharmacy will charge for the medication.